John Harvey McCracken

Originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year.Presented as archival content.

Last Updated:

4-19-2011

John Harvey McCracken, (born Dec. 9, 1934, Berkeley, Calif.—died April 8, 2011, New York, N.Y.) American artist who was characterized as a minimalist with works that featured simple geometric forms, especially his monochromatic columns and his signature brightly coloured planks of wood, which blurred the line between painting and sculpture because they stood on the floor (as a sculpture would) but leaned on walls (akin to a painting). The columns and planks—painted bubble gum pink, lemon yellow, deep sapphire, and ebony—were hand sanded and polished by McCracken until their enamel, lacquer, or resin surfaces shone. Working in his West Coast aesthetic, which represented ... (100 of 226 words)